Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

A tanning device (1) and related method, the device comprising a resting
base (2) for a user and a supporting frame (3) associated with said base
(2); the frame (3) is configured for housing a plurality of delivery
nozzles of a spray delivery system of a tanning substance, where said
base (2) comprises a support (12) with substantially flat shape for
enabling the user to lie down for receiving the tanning substance
delivered from said delivery nozzles.

Claims:

1. A tanning device (1) comprising a resting base (2) for a user and a
supporting frame (3) associated with said base (2) and configured for
housing a plurality of delivery nozzles of a spray delivery system of a
tanning substance, where said base (2) comprises a support (12) with
substantially flat shape for enabling the user to lie down for receiving
the tanning substance delivered from said delivery nozzles.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said spray delivery
system comprises a tank containing said tanning substance and a source of
pressure for spraying said tanning substance from said delivery nozzles
toward the user in a direction from the top toward the bottom, said frame
comprising a framework overlying said support and provided with said
plurality of nozzles, so that the tanning substance is delivered towards
said support, the framework being able to translate with respect to said
support in a direction parallel to a direction of longitudinal
development of said support.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the frame (3) comprises a
plurality of seats (7) apt to removably house a plurality of spray
containers (5) for said tanning substance and provided with said delivery
nozzles for delivering said tanning substance automatically towards the
user, said frame (3) comprising a framework (20) overlying said support
(12) and provided with said plurality of seats (7), so that the tanning
substance is delivered towards said support (12), the framework being
able to translate with respect to said support in a direction parallel to
a direction of longitudinal development (12a) of said support (12).

4. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein said frame (3) comprises
at least a sliding rail (22; 46) developing along said direction of
longitudinal development (12a) of the support (12), a trolley (23; 29)
provided with said plurality of seats (7) or with said nozzles and
slidingly engaged with said rail (22; 46), and movement means (24; 40)
for said trolley (23; 29) along said rail (22; 46).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said support (12) has a
substantially horizontal development and said trolley consists of a
portal structure (29) comprising said framework (20), a support member
(33) and two uprights (31, 32) in support of said framework (20) arranged
on opposite sides with respect to the support, the support member lying
below the support and being provided with two end portions (35) and (36)
opposed each other and stiffly fixed each to a respective lower end of
the respective upright, said portal structure developing transversally to
the direction of longitudinal development (12a) and said portal structure
extending to a height, above the support (12), apt to allow the user to
position himself lying on such support.

6. The device (1) according to the preceding claim 5, where the frame
comprises two guides (46), developing parallel to the longitudinal
development in correspondence of the longitudinal opposed sides of the
support, and the support member (33) comprises at its two end portions
(35) and (36) two sliders (47) slidingly inserted into the respective
guide, where said movement means (40) are structured for moving the
support member (33) with respect to the base and for determining the
translation of the portal structure (29) parallel to the direction of
longitudinal development (12a).

7. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said support (12)
consists of a back (18) of a chair (112) structured for allowing the user
to be in a lying position for receiving the tanning substance supplied by
said plurality of spray containers or nozzles, the trolley consisting of
a portal structure (29) comprising said framework, a support member (33)
and two uprights (31, 32) in support of said framework (20) arranged on
opposite sides with respect to the support, the support member lying at
the back of the back and being provided with two end portions (35) and
(36) opposed each other and stiffly fixed each to a respective lower end
of the respective upright, said portal structure developing transversally
to the direction of longitudinal development (12a) and said framework
surrounding the head and the trunk of a user lying on said chair and
moving with respect to the chair along said direction of longitudinal
development (12a).

8. The device (1) according to claim 3 any one of the claims from 3 to 7,
wherein said frame (3) further comprises actuating means (60) configured
for acting upon a respective dispensing element (5a) of each spray
container (5) or of said plurality of spray containers (5), for
automatically delivering the tanning substance from said spray containers
(5), said actuating means (60) comprising at least one control element
(61) shifting between at least a first position in which it is not apt to
interact with said corresponding dispensing element (5a), and a second
position in which it is apt to push said dispensing element (5a) for
obtaining said automatic delivery.

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the actuating means
comprise an actuator (65) and a control element (61) for each spray
container, said control element being an eccentric cam (66) having a
central portion (67) associated to the respective actuator and an
operating surface (68), the actuator being configured for determining the
passage of the eccentric cam between said first position, in which the
operating surface does not press on the respective dispensing element
(5a) of the spray container, and said second position in which said
operating surface presses the dispensing element.

10. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the framework comprises
a heat source (70) configured for heating the skin of the user, the heat
source being a generator of a stream of hot air, having a temperature
preferably greater than 30.degree. C., or a source of an infrared
radiation.

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein said heat source (70)
comprises a hot air generator (71), a duct (73) and an electric fan (72)
for creating a stream of hot air exiting by the duct, the heat source
being configured for generating a stream of hot air directed in the same
direction of delivery of the tanning substance from the spray containers
and so that, in the translational movement of the framework with respect
to the support, the stream of hot air reaches the skin of the user after
the tanning substance delivered by the spray containers.

12. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein each container (5) is
singularly associated with a respective delivery group (80) mounted to
the framework (20) and comprising the respective seat (7), the respective
actuating means (60) and/or the respective heat source (70) singularly
dedicated to the respective container.

13. The device (1) according to claim 3, comprising said plurality of
spray containers (5), each spray container containing a pressurized
mixture containing at least said tanning substance, typically
dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and being equipped with a dispensing element (5a)
for atomizing said mixture.

14. A tanning method comprising the following steps: arranging a tanning
device (1) according to claim 3; placing said plurality of spray
containers (5) in said plurality of seats (7); deliver the tanning
substance, towards at least one area of the user's body, from a
respective dispensing element (5a) of said plurality of spray containers
(5) by actuating the respective dispensing elements (5a); removing one or
more spray containers (5) of said plurality of spray containers (5) from
said frame (3) and, as replacement, associating with said frame (3) one
or several spray containers (5) containing tanning substance to be
delivered.

Description:

[0001] The present invention relates to a tanning device and a related
method, particularly through the use of tanning substances,

[0002] The present invention finds application in devices for artificial
tanning, i.e. apt to cause an artificial (i.e. without sun exposure) skin
color alteration, typically used in the field of beauty treatments or
aesthetic body care as are usually performed in commercial premises such
as tanning centers, aesthetic centers, beauty centers.

[0003] For instance, there are tanning devices with UV-ray emission to the
user who undergoes the tanning treatment, which stimulates melanogenesis,
i.e. melanin production by melanocytes.

[0004] Conversely, a different type of devices make use of suitable
chemical substances, typically known as "tanning substances" or
"self-tanning products", which are applied (typically sprayed) onto the
users skin. The tanning substance used in these devices is typically
contained in a mixture of other substances, such as for instance water,
glycols, preserving agents or moisturizing substances, and represents the
active substance apt to cause a skin color alteration. Among the tanning
substances on the market, which are also available in spray containers
provided with a dispensing cap for personal and domestic use,
dihydroxyacetone (DHA) can be mentioned by way of example, which is a
carbohydrate obtained e.g. as sugar cane extract and widely used today in
the field of spray tanning.

[0005] Tanning substances penetrate surface skin layers making skin darker
and the darkening effect progressively ceases after some days. They do
not modify the structure of skin cells and do not cause melanin release,
but only act on the surface by forming a layer with a darker color than
the natural color of the user's skin. Tanning substances, therefore,
allow to eliminate the problems related to the use of UV rays, such as
e.g. the risk of appearance of melanomas and skin tumors and the risk of
burns due to an excessive exposure to such rays.

[0006] The devices making use of these tanning substances, typically
referred to as "spray tanning devices", can be actuated by an operator or
be of automatic type. In the first case, the tanning substance which is
able to darken skin is contained in a tank and sprayed onto the user's
skin by means of a manual dispenser, typically a spray gun similar to
those used for spraying paints of various type, which is manually pointed
by the operator around the user's body so as to distribute the tanning
substance. The dispenser is connected, typically by means of a flexible
tube, to a source of compressed air (e.g. a compressor), which is able to
atomize the tanning substance contained in the tank and let it get out
from a dispenser nozzle. This operation is usually performed inside a
suitable tent or cab in which the user is standing and which is provided
with an opening through which the operator points the spray towards the
user's skin from outside such tent or cab; in order to cover with the
tanning substance the whole body surface to be darkened, the user can
move for facing the operator with parts of his/her body that have not yet
been reached by the atomized tanning substance.

[0007] It is further known about spray tanning devices of automatic type,
typically for integral tanning, made up of a cab which is similar in
structure to a tanning cab with UV rays. These devices are commonly
referred to as "tanning showers" and are made up of a closed or
half-closed cab inside which the user is standing. In the case of spray
tanning, the side walls of the cab are equipped with a certain number of
nozzles for the emission of the tanning substance, uniformly arranged so
as to point atomized sprays that can cover the whole exposed body surface
of the user who has to undergo the tanning treatment.

[0008] Also these automatic devices are equipped with a compressor apt to
supply the required pressure, and with ducts conveying to the nozzles the
tanning substance from one tank, but they do not require the presence of
an operator since the plurality of nozzles in the cab enables to reach
the various parts of the user's body. The Applicant has found that
current spray tanning devices and related tanning methods are not without
drawbacks and can be improved under various points of view, mainly
concerning the possibility of performing a uniform delivery and of
maintaining over time functionality and performance of said device.

[0009] As a matter of fact, it should be pointed out that in the aforesaid
devices provided with tank and compressor, during and after the delivery
of the tanning substance, solid deposits and sediments are formed in the
ducts and above all in the dispensing nozzles, which deposits and
sediments cause a partial or total obstruction of the ducts and/or
nozzles. In order to overcome this drawback, complex maintenance
operations are usually carried out on traditional spray tanning devices,
which necessarily occur by disassembling the parts which the tanning
substance gets through (e.g. nozzles, ducts, fittings) and by cleaning
them, then the device must be re-assembled for subsequent use. This
involves high costs related to the use of known devices, due to the long
downtime of the device required for continuous maintenance operations and
to the use of skilled maintenance personnel.

[0010] The Applicant has found that current spray tanning devices or
methods have further drawbacks, particularly concerning the possibility
of reaching the whole user's skin portion to be darkened with the tanning
substance.

[0011] Another drawback of known devices, in particular of cab-shaped
spray tanning devices, concerns the large amount of tanning substance
which is wasted during use, i.e. which does not reach the user's skin.
This is particularly relevant for cab-shaped devices in which the user is
standing and nozzles atomize the tanning substance sideways with respect
to the user, wherein a considerable part of atomized tanning substance
flows downward while progressively getting away from the nozzle, due to
the progressive loss of speed and to the simultaneous effect of gravity,
and deposits onto the cab bottom before reaching the user's body.

[0012] It should be further pointed out that known methods involve
atomizing the tanning substance onto the user's skin while the latter is
standing, which may not enable to uniformly reach those skin portions
that are hidden or covered because of skin folds formed by gravity. This
is even more evident for users with a large body mass and/or for aged
users. Moreover, this phenomenon is particularly evident on the abdomen
wherein skin and/or breast folds and recesses are more concentrated.

[0013] Under these circumstances, the technical task underlying the
present invention consists in providing a tanning device and a related
method which can overcome one or more of the drawbacks mentioned above.
One of the possible aims of the present invention in one or more of its
various aspects consists in providing a tanning device and a related
method which can uniformly deliver the tanning substance and maintain
function and performance over time, reducing the need for complex and/or
frequent maintenance and/or cleaning operations, in particular the need
to disassemble, clean and re-assemble the hydraulic circuit for tanning
substance delivery.

[0014] A further possible aim of the present invention in one or more of
its various aspects consists in providing a tanning device and a related
method which can reach and cover with the tanning substance in a uniform
manner the whole area of the user's skin to be darkened.

[0015] A further possible aim of the present invention in one or more of
its various aspects consists in providing a tanning device and a related
method which can point and direct at best, i.e. towards the user's body,
the tanning substance, avoiding waste as much as possible.

[0016] A further possible aim of the present invention in one or more of
its various aspects consists in providing a tanning device and a related
method which are in use more convenient and comfortable for the user
and/or operator.

[0017] Another possible aim of the present invention in one or more of its
various aspects consists in providing a tanning device which is simple
and/or cheap in design and/or construction and/or installation and/or
configuration and/or operation and/or maintenance.

[0018] One or more of the above aims and others which will be more
apparent in the following description are basically achieved by a tanning
device and a related method, comprising the technical features contained
in one or more of the appended claims, each of them being considered
alone (without its dependent claims) or in any combination with other
claims, and in the following aspects, variously combined, also together
with the aforesaid claims.

[0019] In one aspect the invention relates to a tanning device comprising
a resting base for a user and a supporting frame associated with said
base and configured for housing a plurality of delivery nozzles of a
spray delivery system of a tanning substance, where said base comprises a
support with substantially flat shape for enabling the user to lie down
for receiving the tanning substance delivered from said delivery nozzles.
In one aspect, said spray delivery system comprises a tank containing
said tanning substance and a source of pressure for spraying said tanning
substance from said delivery nozzles toward the user in a direction from
the top toward the bottom, said frame comprising a framework overlying
said support and provided with said plurality of nozzles, so that the
tanning substance is delivered towards said support, the framework being
able to translate with respect to said support in a direction parallel to
a direction of longitudinal development of said support.

[0020] In one aspect, the frame comprises a plurality of seats apt to
removably house a plurality of spray containers for said tanning
substance and provided with said delivery nozzles for delivering said
tanning substance automatically towards the user, said frame comprising a
framework overlying said support and provided with said plurality of
seats, so that the tanning substance is delivered towards said support,
the framework being able to translate with respect to said support in a
direction parallel to a direction of longitudinal development of said
support.

[0021] It is therefore possible to replace the spray container, thus
overcoming maintenance difficulties of the prior art.

[0022] In one aspect, said frame is configured for removably housing a
plurality of spray containers for a tanning substance and for delivering
said tanning substance from said plurality of spray containers towards
the user. It is thus possible to obtain a simultaneous and uniform
delivery onto a larger surface of the user's body and to speed up the
tanning treatment.

[0023] In one aspect, said frame comprises at least one suitably shaped
seat apt to removably house said at least one spray container or a
plurality of seats for said plurality of spray containers. It is thus
possible to easily associate or remove said at least one spray container
or said plurality of spray containers with or from said frame.

[0024] In one aspect, said base comprises a support with a basically flat
shape and horizontal development for enabling the user to lie down along
a direction of longitudinal development of said support for receiving the
tanning substance delivered from said at least one spray container or
said plurality of spray containers. It is thus possible to avoid lighter
skin areas which are formed with the user standing because of close
tissues overlapping.

[0025] In an alternative aspect, the aforesaid support consists of a back
of a chair structured for allowing the user to be in a lying position for
receiving the tanning substance supplied by said plurality of spray
containers or nozzles. It is thus possible to deliver the tanning
substance on the face and/or on the upper part of the user body.

[0026] In one aspect, said frame comprises a framework overlying said
support and equipped with said at least one seat or plurality of seats,
so that the tanning substance is delivered towards said support. It is
thus possible to accurately direct the tanning substance onto the user's
body avoiding waste of tanning substance.

[0027] In one aspect, said frame comprises one or more supporting uprights
for said framework, which project from the base.

[0028] In one aspect, said framework comprises a sliding rail developing
along said longitudinal development of the support, a trolley equipped
with said at least one seat or plurality of seats and slidingly engaged
with said rail, and moving means for said trolley along said rail. Thus,
by enabling a relative movement between spray containers and user it is
possible to reach with one spray container only or with a limited set of
spray containers the whole body surface of the user.

[0029] In one aspect, said framework comprises a cover developing above
said base, said cover being able to be switched between a closed
configuration in which it defines an internal volume for housing the user
between an internal surface of said cover and said support, and an open
configuration in which it enables the user's arrangement on said support
and the disengagement thereof from said device. It is thus possible to
perform a tanning treatment inside a basically closed or limited space
and avoid waste of tanning substance and/or unwanted contamination due to
the mixture containing the tanning substance.

[0030] In one aspect, said frame further comprises actuating means
configured for acting upon a respective dispensing element of said at
least one spray container or of said plurality of spray containers, for
automatically delivering the tanning substance from said at least one
spray container. It is thus possible to provide a tanning device which is
able to operate automatically.

[0031] In one aspect, said actuating means comprise at least one control
element shifting between at least a first position in which it is not apt
to interact with said respective dispensing element, and a second
position in which it is apt to push said dispensing element so as to
obtain said automatic delivery.

[0032] In one aspect, said actuating means comprise a slide having at
least one seat, which can shift between at least a first position in
which said dispensing element is not apt to interact with a respective
counter-element and a second position in which said dispensing element is
pushed against a respective counter-element.

[0033] In one aspect, the tanning device comprises said at least one spray
container or said plurality of spray containers, each container
containing a pressurized mixture containing at least said tanning
substance, typically dihydroxyacetone (DHA), and being equipped with a
dispensing element for atomizing said mixture.

[0034] In one aspect, the tanning device further comprises a source of an
electromagnetic radiation. It is thus possible to add to the tanning
effects of the tanning substance the tanning effects resulting from the
exposure to an electromagnetic radiation, typically UV radiation.

[0035] In one aspect, the tanning device further comprises a heat source
configured to heat the skin of the user.

[0036] Preferably, the heat source is a generator of a stream of hot air,
having a temperature preferably greater than 30° C., more
preferably greater than 35° C., or a source of an infrared
radiation. This can enable to reduce the drying time of the mixture
supplied from the spray container or from the plurality of spray
containers onto the user's skin, thus improving the penetration of the
tanning substance into the skin layers and achieving a more effective
tanning treatment.

[0037] In one aspect the tanning device further comprises a suction
system, comprising for example a suction fan and a filter, configured for
aspiring a quantity of tanning substance delivered from said at least one
tanning spray container or said plurality of spray container, for example
during or at the end of a tanning treatment. This can avoid the substance
to move away from the device and disperse into the surrounding
environment, thereby soiling the environment itself.

[0038] In one aspect the tanning device is made so as to allow also the
implementation of not-tanning cosmetics treatments (e.g. massage, hair
removal, etc.) on a user positioned on said support. It is thus possible
to use the tanning device for a variety of aesthetics treatments allowing
to reduce the space, for example in a aesthetic center, necessary to
accommodate different devices used for the different aesthetics
treatments.

[0039] In another aspect, the invention relates to a tanning method
comprising the following steps: [0040] arranging the aforesaid tanning
device in any one of the aspects of the present invention; [0041] placing
said at least one spray container in said at least one seat (or plurality
of seats); [0042] delivering the tanning substance towards at least one
area of the user's body from a respective dispensing element of said at
least one spray container (or of said plurality of spray containers).

[0043] In one aspect, the method further comprises the steps of removing,
typically upon exhaustion of the tanning substance contained in said at
least one spray container or in one or more spray containers of said
plurality of spray containers (or upon obstruction of the corresponding
dispensing element), said at least one spray container or said one or
more spray containers of said plurality of spray containers from said
frame, and associating with said frame a new spray container or several
new spray containers containing tanning substance to be supplied. It is
thus no longer necessary to arrange and maintain a hydraulic system for
supplying the tanning substance and there is less need for complex and/or
frequent maintenance and/or cleaning operations.

[0044] In one aspect, the method comprises the step, to be performed by
the user, of switching from a lying supine position to a lying prone
position, so that the tanning substance can reach and cover the whole
body surface of the user.

[0045] In one aspect, during said step of delivering the tanning substance
the latter is delivered downwards.

[0046] In one aspect, the method further comprises the step of actuating
through said actuating means said dispensing element of said at least one
spray container or said respective dispensing elements of said plurality
of spray containers, so as to automatically deliver the tanning substance
from said at least one spray container or said plurality of spray
containers.

[0047] Further characteristics and advantages will be more apparent from
the detailed description of some embodiments, among which also a
preferred embodiment, by way of non-exclusive example of a tanning device
and related method according to the present invention. This description
will be made in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings
provided to a merely indicative and therefore non-limiting purpose, in
which:

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tanning device according to the
present invention;

[0049]FIG. 2 is a partial top view from above of the tanning device of
FIG. 1;

[0050]FIG. 3 is a partial view in lateral elevation and sectioned of the
tanning device of FIG. 1;

[0051]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another possible embodiment of a
tanning device according to the present invention;

[0052]FIG. 5 is an another perspective view of the device of FIG. 4, with
some parts removed;

[0053] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a part of the device of the
present invention;

[0054]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still another possible embodiment
of a tanning device according to the present invention, with some parts
removed.

[0055] With reference to the accompanying figures, a tanning device
according to the present invention is globally referred to with numeral
1. In general, the same numeral is used for identical or similar
elements, if required in their variants of embodiment.

[0056] The device 1 comprises a resting base 2 for a user and a supporting
frame 3 associated with the base. This frame 3 is configured for
removably housing at least one spray container 5 for a tanning substance
and for delivering this tanning substance from the spray container 5
towards the user. Preferably, as shown by way of example in the figures,
the frame 3 is configured for removably housing a plurality of spray
containers 5 for tanning substance and for delivering the tanning
substance from this plurality of spray containers 5 towards the user.

[0057] Typically, these spray containers are made up of bombs enclosing
inside a pressurized mixture which is atomized outside by means of a
suitable dispensing element 5a. Examples of pressurized spray containers
containing tanning substances (such as DHA) are known.

[0058] Preferably, the frame 3 comprises at least one seat 7 of suitable
shape apt to removably house the aforesaid spray container 5 or a
plurality of seats 7 for the aforesaid plurality of spray containers 5.
As shown by way of example in the figures, the seats 7 can preferably
match the shape of the spray containers 5, so as to enclose them at least
partially, typically on the bottom of said containers and part of the
side surface, thus firmly locating them on the frame 3 and simultaneously
enabling a simple manual removal thereof.

[0059] Preferably, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 2
comprises a support 12 having a basically flat shape and horizontal
development for enabling the user to lie down along a direction of
longitudinal development 12a of such support, in order to receive the
tanning substance supplied from the spray container 5 or from the
plurality of spray containers 5.

[0060] Preferably, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 4, the
support 12 is basically rectangular in shape and has a resting surface
12b, two longer sides 13 and 14 extending parallel to the direction of
longitudinal development 12a and between which the user is lying, and a
first 15 and a second shorter side 16 substantially perpendicular to the
direction of longitudinal development 12a, on which the user's head and
fee are located, respectively. Preferably, the support 12 is symmetrical
with respect to the direction of longitudinal development 12a and the
longer sides 13 and 14 are equivalent to one another. Analogously, the
shorter sides 15 and 16 can be homologous. Preferably, in an embodiment
not shown in the figure, the surface 12b of the support, on which the
user lies down, can be ergonomically shaped so as to support the various
body parts and provide a more comfortable rest for the user lying
thereon, if required with massage functions. Preferably, the support 12
can be made of plastics, glass, metal or any other suitable material, or
can be covered with a soft coating, a fabric or other material.

[0061] As shown by way of example in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, the frame
3 comprises a framework 20 lying above the support 12 and equipped with
the aforesaid seat 7 or plurality of seats 7, so that the spray container
5 or the plurality of spray containers are located above the support 12.
Thus, the tanning substance is advantageously delivered from top to
bottom and is directed precisely towards each body part of the user lying
down.

[0062] Preferably, as shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame
3 comprises one or more supporting uprights 21 for the framework 20,
which project from the base 2. As shown by way of example in the
embodiment of FIG. 1, the frame comprises a single middle upright
associated with the base on one of the two longer sides 13 or 14. In an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the framework 20 can be supported by
several uprights, e.g. two, projecting from the base on the same longer
side 13 or 14.

[0063] Preferably, the uprights 21 can be connected to the base 2 by means
of an articulated hinge (not shown) enabling a movement of the upright,
and therefore of the framework, with respect to the base and allowing to
lead these structures away from the surface 12b of the support 12, e.g.
to enable to user to access the support 12 and to disengage from the
latter in a comfortable and safe manner, avoiding possible collisions
between the user and parts of the frame.

[0064] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the framework 20 is
fastened to the ceiling above the device 1 by means e.g. of cables, thus
avoiding the presence of posts.

[0065] Preferably the framework 20 comprises a sliding rail 22 developing
along the longitudinal development 12a of the support 12, and a trolley
23 equipped with the aforesaid seat 7 or with the plurality of seats 7
and slidingly engaged with the rail 22. Advantageously, the framework 20
further comprises movement means 24 (schematically shown in the figure)
for the trolley 23 along the rail 22. These movement means can
advantageously comprise at least one motor placed on the framework 20 and
apt to cause the trolley 23 to shift along the rail 22, typically in both
directions of the longitudinal development 12a according to a to-and-fro
motion, i.e. shifting between the shorter sides 15 and 16 of the support
12. Thus, the trolley 23, equipped with the seats 7 housing the spray
containers 5 and lying above the support 12, can face during the
treatment the surface 12b in its whole extension, so as to deliver the
tanning substance on the whole longitudinal development of the user's
body.

[0066] Preferably, the movement means 24 can further comprise a mechanical
drive (not shown) of known type, which can transmit motion from the motor
to the trolley 23. This drive can be for instance a rack-and-pinion
coupling, wherein a pinion is integral with a drive shaft of the motor,
the latter being mounted on the trolley 23, and engages a rack placed on
the rail parallel to the direction of longitudinal development. In this
case the rotation of the drive shaft causes the shift of the trolley
engaged into the rail.

[0067] As an alternative, the motor can transmit motion to a pair of
pulleys causing the movement of a belt, e.g. a toothed belt, with which
the trolley is integral.

[0068] Preferably, the plurality of seats 7 is distributed on the
framework 20 uniformly or according to a specific pattern, so as to cause
a uniform delivery of the tanning substance by the plurality of spray
containers. By way of example, if the framework 20 comprises the
aforesaid trolley, as shown by way of example in FIG. 1 or 2, the
plurality of seats 7 is arranged so as to house two opposed rows 26 and
27 of spray containers. These rows are preferably parallel to the
aforesaid shorter sides 15 and 16 and enable to deliver the tanning
substance basically from one longer side 13 to the other longer side 14.
Moreover, the shift of the trolley 23 along the rail 22 by the aforesaid
movement means 24 allows to cover with the delivery the whole length,
along the direction of longitudinal development 12a, of the support 12
and thus the whole surface 12a.

[0069] Each row of seats can house for instance spray containers
containing the same mixture of tanning substance and apt to cause on the
user's skin a particular degree of color alteration and therefore of
tanning. By way of example, the two rows 26 and 27, arranged on opposed
sides of the trolley 23, produce two different degrees of artificial
tanning, e.g. light and intense tanning, respectively.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the framework comprises a
cover developing above the base 2. Preferably, this cover can switch at
least between a closed configuration, in which it defines an internal
volume for housing the user between an internal surface of the cover and
the surface 12a of the support 12, and an open configuration in which it
enables the user's arrangement on the support 12 and the disengagement
thereof from the device. Preferably, the cover can be associated with the
base 2 on one of the longer sides 13 or 14 of the support 12 by means of
a hinge (not shown) which allows the cover to switch between the
aforesaid closed and open configurations.

[0071] Preferably, the plurality of seats 7 is distributed in a fixed
manner on the internal surface of the cover uniformly or according to a
specific pattern, e.g. in points lying at the same distance and facing
the surface 12a of the support 12, so that the delivery of the tanning
substance by the plurality of spray containers covers the whole surface
12a of the support 12.

[0072] In an alternative embodiment, the aforesaid framework 20 equipped
with rail 22 and mobile trolley 23 can be fastened to the internal
surface of the aforesaid cover.

[0073] In a possible further alternative embodiment the uprights can
project from the basis on opposed sides with respect to the direction of
longitudinal development 12a, i.e. from the longer sides 13 and 14, for
supporting the framework 20.

[0074] For instance, in an embodiment exemplary shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,
the support has a substantially horizontal development and the aforesaid
trolley consists of a portal structure 29 comprising the aforesaid
framework, a support member and two uprights 31 and 32 in support of the
framework 20 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the support, for
example projecting from the two longer sides 13 and 14 in two
corresponding facing positions. Preferably the support member lying below
the support and preferably it is provided with two end portions 35 and 36
opposed each other and stiffly fixed each to a respective lower end of
the respective upright. Preferably, this portal structure develops
transversally to the direction of longitudinal development 12a and the
framework extends at a height above the support 12 apt at least to enable
the user to lie down on such support. Thus the overall structure of the
device results advantageously rational, with a small weight and
encumbrance.

[0075] Preferably, the movement means 40 are structured for moving the
support member 33 with respect to the base and for determining the
translation of the portal structure 29 parallel to the direction of
longitudinal development 12a

[0076] Preferably the frame comprises two guides 46, developing parallel
to the longitudinal development in correspondence of the longitudinal
opposed sides of the support, and the support member 33 comprises at its
two end portions 35 and 36 two sliders 47 slidingly inserted into the
respective guide. Thus the translational movement of the portal structure
is parallel to said longitudinal development, stable and aligned. In
addition, the coupling guide-slider allows to support the load of the
portal structure which weigh down on the frame. The presence of two
guides 46 advantageously allows to obtain a support of the portal
structure into two distinct points, which is stable and safe and realizes
a symmetrical distribution of loads on the frame. In addition, the
placement of the two guides 46 below the support advantageously allows to
obtain a safe movement of the portal structure, because the uprights and
the framework are sufficiently spaced (on side and on top respectively)
from the user, and the support member slides below the support and does
not interfere with the surface of the latter. This will prevent the user
of the device to get in contact, during the treatment, with moving parts
of the portal structure.

[0077] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the support element 33
consists of the aforesaid two end portions 35 and 36, each equipped with
the respective slider, distinct and separate and each fastened to the
respective upright.

[0078] Preferably, the shifting means can comprise a motor 41 acting
directly, or by means of a mechanical drive, upon the support member 33
so as to cause the shift thereof parallel to the direction of
longitudinal development 12a. Preferably the guides 46 are arranged in
correspondence with one or both longer sides 13 and 14 between the first
shorter side 15 and the second shorter side 16.

[0079] The portal structure allows to cover with continuity and precision
the entire surface of the support, delivering the tanning substance
toward successive portions of the support itself, maintaining however a
limited encumbrance along said direction of longitudinal development. The
portal structure can be advantageously positioned, for example when the
treatment is completed, in correspondence of one of the two longitudinal
ends of the support (typically one of the aforesaid shorter sides 15 or
16), leaving clear the volume above the support.

[0080] Preferably the two uprights 31 and 32 have a respective upper end
31a and 32a stiffly fixed to the framework 20 and a respective lower end
31b and 32b opposed to the respective upper end. Preferably the support
member 33 is provided with a central mounting portion 34 interposed
between the two end portions 35 and 36.

[0081] Preferably the movement means comprise a mechanical transmission
42, preferably positioned entirely below the support, which includes a
driving pulley 43, mechanically coupled to the motor 41, a driven pulley
44, positioned on the opposite side of the framework with respect to the
driving pulley, and a transmission member 45 (exemplary a belt or a
chain) connecting the driving and driven pulleys, the mounting portion 34
of support member 33 being stiffly fixed (preferably at the bottom) to
the transmission member 45 in such a way that the rotation of the motor
determines the sliding of the sliders 47 in the guides 46 and the
subsequent translation of the portal structure along a direction parallel
to the longitudinal development of the support.

[0082] In an alternative aspect not shown, the movement means comprise a
linear motor developing parallel to the direction of longitudinal
development 12a and configured for determining the translation of the
support member 33 of the portal structure. Preferably, the linear motor
consists in the coupling of the guide 46 with the respective slider 47,
wherein the guide and the slider are respectively the stator and the
rotor of the linear motor. Preferably, the frame comprises two linear
motors, one for each of the two guides 46.

[0083] Preferably, the base 2 includes a lower basement 2a and a
box-shaped housing 2b fixed above the basement and structured for
containing the movement means 40, the support being mounted above the
box-shaped housing. Preferably, the driving pulley and the driven pulley
are positioned in correspondence of opposed longitudinal ends of the
box-shaped housing. Preferably, the guides are fixed to the box-shaped
housing.

[0084] Preferably, the movement means comprise one or more sensors (not
shown, exemplary an encoder, a resolver, a linear potentiometer or an
optical scale) configured for detecting the position of the portal
structure, preferably the relative position with respect to the support
or the frame. Exemplary, the sensors are associated to the driving or
driven pulley, or to the guide or to the slider.

[0085] Preferably, as shown by way of example in the figures, the frame 3
further comprises actuating means 60 acting upon a respective dispensing
element 5a of a spray container 5, or upon respective dispensing elements
5a of the plurality 4 of spray containers, for automatically delivering
the tanning substance from each spray container.

[0086] Preferably, these actuating means 60 comprise at least one control
element 61 shifting between at least a first position in which it does
not interact with a respective dispensing element 5a and a second
position in which it pushes this dispensing element for automatic
delivery.

[0087] Preferably, the actuating means comprise an actuator 65 and a
control element 61 for each spray container, preferably actuated
independently by the other control elements. Preferably the aforesaid
control element is an eccentric cam 66 having a central portion 67
associated to the actuator and an operating surface 68, the actuator
being configured for determining the passage of the eccentric cam between
the aforesaid first position, in which the operating surface does not
press on the respective dispensing element 5a of the spray container, and
the aforesaid second position in which said operating surface presses the
dispensing element.

[0088] Preferably, in the first position the operating surface is in
contact with the dispensing element but does not exercise on it a push
able to change its position. Thus the eccentric cam is always in contact
with the respective dispensing element, both during the delivery of the
substance contained in the container and during non-delivery, avoiding
impacts between the eccentric cam and the dispensing element during the
transition between the first and second position.

[0089] Preferably, the actuator 65 comprises a rotary motor (e.g. a DC
motor or a stepper motor) provided with a drive shaft on which is fixed
said central portion of the eccentric cam. Preferably the rotary motor
comprises a set of gears (not shown) configured for generating the
correct rotation of the drive shaft so as to determine the transition
between said first and second position of the control element.

[0090] In the embodiment exemplary shown in FIG. 2, the control element 61
is basically shaped as a bar 62 which can simultaneously actuate the
spray containers of one row 26 or 27 housed on the framework 20. When the
bar is in the aforesaid second position, it acts by pushing the
dispensing element 5a of each spray container of the row, thus causing
the automatic delivery of the tanning substance contained in each spray
container.

[0091] Preferably, the switching of the control element 61 between the
first and second position is caused by a respective actuator (not shown)
placed on the framework, made up for instance of a rotary or linear motor
or of a hydraulic or pneumatic piston.

[0092] Preferably, the actuating means comprise more than one control
element, e.g. two bars 62 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein each control
element acts upon a respective spray container or group of spray
containers. In the example shown in the figure, the two bars 62 act each
upon a respective row 26 and 27 of spray containers, and can be
independently actuated so as to deliver the substance from the spray
containers of the respective rows.

[0093] Alternatively, a single actuator can control in a coordinated
mariner both bars causing the delivery of tanning substance from one or
the other row of spray containers. With reference to the aforesaid
example wherein the two opposed rows 26 and 27 generate a light and
intense tanning, respectively, the actuation of one or the other row
occurs in a mutually exclusive manner depending on the desired degree of
artificial tanning. Alternatively, upon exhaustion of the tanning
substance in one or more of the spray containers in a row, the switching
of a bar from the second to the first position (with subsequent
interruption of delivery) can coincide with the switching of the other
bar from the first to the second position, thus starting the delivery of
tanning substance from the spray devices of the respective row. By way of
example, the two bars 62 in FIG. 2 can be connected, e.g. integrally, one
with the other so as to obtain a coordinated movement thereof.
Alternatively, in an embodiment of the framework that is not shown, the
actuating means 60 comprise a slide having the aforesaid seat or
plurality of seats with which the aforesaid spray container or plurality
of spray containers are associated, which can shift between at least a
first position in which the dispensing element or elements of the
container or containers housed on the slide do not interact with a
counter-element, and a second position in which the dispensing element or
elements are pushed against this counter-element.

[0094] In the embodiment shown by way of example in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the
seats on the frame are arranged so as to cause a basically horizontal
arrangement of the spray containers, each with their own axis of
longitudinal development basically parallel to the direction of
longitudinal development 12a of the support 12. Preferably, the
dispensing element of each spray container is shaped so as to direct
delivery perpendicularly to the respective axis of longitudinal
development. It is thus possible, by suitably arranging each container in
its seat, to obtain a delivery of the tanning substance directed from top
to bottom and towards the support. Alternatively, the seats can be
arranged on the frame so as to cause an inclination of the spray
containers contained therein, e.g. downwards (with the dispensing element
in lower position, or preferably upper, with respect to the bottom of the
spray container). This enables for instance to keep during use the
remaining mixture in the containers within the container portion that is
closer to the dispensing element, and to deliver the whole amount of
mixture contained in the spray container.

[0095] In the embodiment shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3, a
bottom surface 23a of the trolley has on each seat 7 a respective hole 25
for letting through the mixture delivered from a respective spray
container towards the support 12. It is thus possible to arrange the
seats on the bottom surface 23a and to house the spray containers resting
thereon, each with its own dispenser directed downwards.

[0096] Preferably the tanning device further comprises a heat source 70
configured for heating the skin of the user. Preferably, the device
comprises one heat source for each spray container. Preferably, each heat
source comprises a hot air generator 71, a duct 73 and an electric fan 72
(centrifugal or axial) for creating a stream of hot air exiting by the
duct.

[0097] Preferably the heat source is configured for generating a stream of
hot air directed in the same direction of delivery of the tanning
substance from the spray containers and/or so that, in the translational
movement of the framework with respect to the support, the stream of hot
air reaches the skin of the user after the tanning substance delivered by
the spray containers.

[0098] Preferably the hot air generator and the electric fan coincide in a
sole device apt to generate and move hot air.

[0099] Preferably, in the embodiment exemplary shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and
7, each seat 7 comprises at least one jaw 7a countershaped to the
respective spray container and having a compliance that permit an elastic
deformation of the jaw which allows to manually enter, by pressing, a
spray container in the jaw and to manually remove, by pulling, the spray
container by the jaw while maintaining, without pressure or pull, the
container firmly housed in the jaw. Preferably the jaw has a shape of
portion of a ring (exemplarily has a "C" conformation), preferably is
made of plastic.

[0100] Preferably each seat comprises a pair of jaws 7a placed in such a
way to wrap and hold the spray container respectively in correspondence
of the bottom and the top of the container.

[0101] Preferably each container 5 of the device 1 is singularly
associated with a respective delivery group 80 mounted to the framework
20 and comprising the respective seat 7, the respective actuating means
60 and the respective heat source 70 singularly dedicated to the
respective container.

[0102] Preferably the seat and/or the actuating means are mounted to a
respective box 81 fixed to the framework. Thus it is not necessary to
assemble the delivery groups directly on the framework, facilitating
subsequent maintenance or replacement of components associated with said
box.

[0103] Preferably, each heat source is positioned in the respective
delivery group, near the respective spray container and so as to generate
a stream of hot air directed in the same direction of delivery of the
spray container associated with it. Preferably, the framework has a
curved shape (preferably a part of a circumference) and the delivery
groups are distributed circumferentially on it, preferably angularly
equally spaced between them. In this way, the framework evenly surrounds
the user placed on the support and each dispensing element is
substantially at the same distance by the user. In this way the substance
delivered by the various spray containers cover the same distance,
ensuring a uniform coverage of the skin of the user. Exemplary, the
framework comprises five delivery groups.

[0104] In a possible embodiment, shown exemplary in FIG. 7, the aforesaid
support 12 consists of a back 18 of a chair 112 structured for allowing
the user to be in a lying position for receiving the tanning substance
supplied by said plurality of spray containers or nozzles. Preferably,
the chair comprises a seat 17 and the back 18 having a respective
direction of longitudinal development 12a.

[0105] Preferably, in such embodiment, the trolley consists of a portal
structure 29 comprising the aforesaid framework, a support member 33 and
two uprights 31 and 32 in support of said framework 20. Preferably the
uprights are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the support.

[0106] Preferably the support member lies behind the back. Preferably the
support member is provided with two end portions 35 and 36 opposed each
other and stiffly fixed each to a respective lower end of the respective
upright. Preferably the portal structure develops transversally
(preferably perpendicularly) to the direction of longitudinal development
12a. Preferably the framework surrounds the head and the trunk of a user
lying on said chair and moving with respect to the chair along the
direction of longitudinal development (12a).

[0107] Preferably, the framework 20 has the same technical features
described for the embodiment of FIG. 4, but it is associated with the
back and moves with respect to it.

[0108] Preferably, the aforesaid movement means 40 are positioned in the
back and structured for moving the two uprights with respect to the back
and for determining the movement of the portal structure from top to
bottom and vice versa. Preferably, the movement means comprise a motor 41
and two guides 46, shown schematically in FIG. 7. Exemplary, the
framework comprises three delivery groups 80. Preferably, the framework
and/or the portal structure is manufactured by assembling plates
opportunely shaped (obtained for example by bending or cutting) and
joined by welding, screws or rivets. Preferably, these plates are
provided with openings in correspondence of the seats, for the insertion
and removal of spray containers, and of the heat sources, for the outflow
of the air streams. Preferably, the plates are provided with air vents 39
for cooling the components inside the framework (for example, operation
means, hot air generators, fans).

[0109] Preferably the device comprises a control panel 90, associated to
the framework or to an upright or to the support or to the base,
configured for allowing the control of the device by the user, for
example for selecting the speed and/or the excursion of the translation
of the framework and/or for setting the quantity of tanning substance
that it is intended to be delivered toward the user. Preferably the
control panel comprises a display and/or a keyboard.

[0110] Preferably, the device comprises a device for acoustic diffusion
91, for example a speaker, associated to the framework or to an upright
or to the support or to the base, apt to diffuse music and/or acoustic
signals and/or information about the state of the room of the tanning
device.

[0111] Preferably, the tanning device can further comprise an electronic
central unit (not shown) apt to manage the operation of the device, to
interface with and monitor the aforesaid movement means 24 and 40,
actuating means 60 and/or sensors and/or actuators 65, and to process
delivery sequences for the tanning substance.

[0112] The operation of the device 1 includes placing at least one spray
container 5 in the aforesaid seat 7 or a plurality of spray containers in
the aforesaid plurality of seats. The user lies down on the support 12
and the device delivers the tanning substance towards at least one area
of the user's body from a respective dispensing element of the spray
container or of the plurality of spray containers. Upon exhaustion of the
mixture in one or more spray containers, or upon obstruction or failure
of a dispensing element, one or more spray containers are removed from
the frame and one or more new spray containers containing tanning
substance to be supplied, typically wholly similar to those removed, are
associated with the frame.

[0113] In the embodiment shown by way of example in FIG. 1, the user
switches, after a given time from the beginning of the treatment, from a
lying supine position to a lying prone position, or vice versa, so that
the tanning substance can reach and cover the whole body area of the
user. In this case the tanning substance is delivered downwards.

[0114] In the embodiments shown by way of example above, delivery occurs
automatically by means of the aforesaid actuating means acting upon the
respective dispensing elements of each spray container.